I solved the problem by joining a UK short-haul airline as DEC.
I pay tax, do about 500 hours per year at present and have my base of choice. Work hard in the peak summer months, and hardly work at all in the winter. My salary is a couple of grand less than a 10 year EK skipper but I'm flying almost half the hours and no night flights at present.
Worked for me, so there are SOME options out there.
Negatives are that there is no staff travel, and I have to bring my own sandwiches to work. Was willing to sacrifice that though just to be at home.